Creation and Operation of Boundary Commissions in Africa: The User’s Guide

Abstract

Every boundary across Africa – indeed across the world – is unique, with its own distinct history, definition, and human and physical geographical contexts. The aim of this handbook is not to proscribe strict regulations for how boundary commissions should be created and should work, as this will depend on the individual contexts. Instead, by gathering information and advice from boundary commissioners across Africa, the handbook aims to provide other African governments and institutions with inspiration and some helpful guidance based on existing practice. This has drawn heavily on the advice of practitioners around the continent who contributed to the AUBP publication on African boundary delimitation and demarcation, 5 as well as the experiences of other boundary commissions around the world. The handbook will concentrate on those commissions established for the purposes of recovering, demarcating, delimiting and maintaining international boundaries. However, it will also explore how some boundary commissions have been given responsibilities for other aspects of border management, such as the management of transboundary water resources. While not attempting to address every issue that might arise in the creation and work of boundary commissions, it is hoped that, by distilling some of the most practical and relevant elements from these experiences, this handbook will prove easily accessible and useful in helping officials and institutions achieve the long-term aims of the AUBP as defined in the Declaration on the African Union Border Programme and its Implementation Modalities as Adopted by the Conference of African Ministers in Charge of Border Issues, 7 June 2007.